Gran Caspier,
The black rat snake is slightly shinier in appearance and has slightly
"keeled" or rough scales, and a bigger, chunkier head. It also may have a
red tongue, I'm not sure. I have heard of people getting infected, but I
doubt that the saliva is responsible since I have been eaten by them many
times and never had any trouble. I DID clean the wound though.
Also, I hear that they really like boy scouts (or is that just boys?) in
Key West.
KITD

i was hiking in n carolina once and came across what i thought was a black
snake. it was motionless but headed up the bank alongside the trail. i
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org